Elbow pain, pain in the arm from the hand or shoulder to the elbow: What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Elbow pain; Pain – elbow

What is elbow pain?

Elbow pain is a common symptom, characterized by discomfort or pain in the elbow joint. The elbow joint is made up of three bones: humerus, which connects to the shoulder, ulna, which connects to the wrist, and radius, which is attached to the wrist. Elbow pain can occur for many reasons.: from simple overexertion or minor injuries to more serious conditions, such as arthritis or nerve damage. It may come on suddenly (sharp) or gradually over time (chronic).

Causes of elbow pain

Elbow pain can have many causes., the most common of which are:

1. Overexertion or injury

Elbow pain can result from a direct blow, sprain or other injury to the elbow joint. This can happen due to repetitive movements, such as hitting a tennis ball or typing on a computer. Overuse of muscles or tendons, which are attached to the elbow, or excessive force or weight can also cause elbow pain.

2. Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease, which affects the joints and causes swelling and pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and can cause inflammation in the elbow joint., which can cause pain. Other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause pain and stiffness in the joints.

3. Nerve damage

Nerve damage due to trauma, such as whiplash or a fall, can cause elbow pain. Other causes of nerve pain, such as sciatica, can lead to elbow discomfort. In some cases, the person may not show any signs of nerve damage., but still feel pain in the elbow due to irritation or compression of the nerve.

4. Bursit

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, which is a small fluid-filled sac, cushioning between bones, muscles and tendons. Bursitis can cause elbow pain due to inflammation.

Elbow pain symptoms

Elbow pain symptoms can vary depending on the cause.. Some possible symptoms include:

• Pain on movement in the elbow joint.
• Stiffness and difficulty bending the elbow.
• Swelling or pain in the elbow joint.
• Difficulty grasping or lifting objects
• Pain, extending up or down the arm.
• Numbness or tingling in the hand
• Weakness in the hand

When to see a doctor

It is important to see a doctor, If the pain increases, lasts longer than a few days or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as swelling or soreness. In some cases, a person may need additional testing., e.g. x-ray or MRI, to determine the cause of pain.

Questions, that your doctor may ask

When you visit your doctor, it, probably, ask a lot of questions, to determine the cause of elbow pain. Some of the questions, which they can ask, include:

• How long have you been in pain?
• What did you do, when the pain started?
• The pain gets worse, when you move your elbow?
• Have you had other injuries nearby?
• Do you have pain, soreness or swelling in the area?
• Do you experience numbness or tingling in this area?

Diagnosis of pain in the elbow

The doctor usually performs a physical examination, to determine the source of the pain. They may also order these tests., like an x-ray, MRI and blood tests, to help diagnose the cause of the pain.

Elbow pain treatment

The treatment plan for elbow pain will depend on the underlying cause.. Some common treatments include:

• Recreation. Break in any activity, that can cause pain, may help relieve symptoms.
• Physiotherapy. Physiotherapists will help you strengthen the muscles and tendons of your hand and reduce pain.
• Medicines. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to reduce inflammation and pain (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids.
• Therapeutic injections. In some cases, the doctor may inject corticosteroids into the joint, to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Operation. If the condition is severe or not treatable by other methods, surgery may be recommended.

Home treatment for elbow pain

In addition to therapies, mentioned above, there are several things, which you can make at home, to relieve elbow pain and reduce symptoms:

• Avoid actions, causing pain. Break in any activity, that can cause pain, can help the elbow rest and heal.
• Attach an ice pack. Applying an ice pack to the elbow 20 minutes several times a day can help reduce swelling and pain.
• Use over-the-counter medicines. Taking over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may help reduce inflammation and pain.
• Use a bandage or bandage. Wearing a bandage or bandage, helping to keep the hand in a comfortable position, also helps reduce pain.

Elbow Pain Prevention

There are several steps, what people can do, to prevent elbow pain:

• Take breaks. Regular breaks while performing activities, associated with repetitive hand or wrist movements, may help reduce the risk of elbow pain.
• Maintain correct posture. Keep your hands and wrists in a neutral position, to reduce stress on joints.
• Warm up. Stretching and warming up before exercise helps reduce the risk of elbow pain.
• Use the correct form. Using proper form while exercising can help reduce the chance of injury.
• Strengthening the muscles. Strengthening the muscles and tendons of the hand may help reduce the risk of developing elbow pain..

Used sources and literature

Clark NJ, Elhassan BT. Elbow diagnosis and decision making. In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee Sink & Miller’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 58.

Kane SF, Lynch JH, Taylor JC. Evaluation of elbow pain in adults. Am Fam Physician. 2014;89(8):649-657. PMID: 24784124 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24784124/.

Lazinski M, Lazinski M, Fedorczyk JM. Clinical examination of the elbow. In: Skirven TM, Osterman AL, Fedorczyk JM, PC cabinet, Feldscher SB, Shin Ek, eds. Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.